Air India to Introduce Blocks of Female-Only Seats on Domestic Flights
Jackie Reddy January 12, 2017
The carrier hopes that this will guarantee the comfort and safety of solo female travelers.
Air India has revealed that it will be reserving six seats for the exclusive use of female passengers on all of its domestic flights. The policy, which will be enacted on Jan. 18, comes just weeks after a sleeping female passenger was allegedly groped by a male traveler on a U.S.-bound Air India flight from Mumbai.
It’s not clear if the airline’s new policy comes as a direct result of this well-publicized incident, but India’s flag carrier hopes that it will help to ensure the safety and comfort of solo female travelers.
Though gender-segregated travel classes are common on trains, buses, coaches, and metro systems throughout India, the airline’s policy is believed to be the first of its kind.
The reserved seats will be available at no extra cost to those who need them. Speaking to The Hindu, Air India chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani confirmed the move, saying, “We will soon reserve two rows (or six seats) for women passengers only.”
Meenakshi Malik, Air India general manager-revenue management, also reiterated Lohani’s statement, saying, “We will be reserving the third row–six seats–in the economy class of the aircraft for female passengers traveling alone.”
She added, “We feel, as national carriers, it is our responsibility to enhance comfort level to female passengers. There are a lot of female passengers who travel alone with us and we will be blocking a few seats for them.”
There has, however, been some opposition to Air India’s new policy. Jitendra Bhargava, a former executive director with the carrier, told the paper, “Planes are not unsafe for women passengers. In case of unruly behavior, the airline crew are authorized to take action as per the law.”
D. Sudhakara Reddy, national president of Air Passengers Association of India, added, “It is an impractical move and will lead to gender discrimination. The airline should not go ahead with the plan.”
[Photo: Air India]
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Japan has been doing it for almost ten years... From the article: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/i-used-the-women-only-train-carriages-in-tokyo-for-good-reason-and-id-welcome-them-in-the-uk-too-10472514.html "Just this month British Transport Police revealed that sexual offences have risen by 25 per cent on trains and Tubes..." What does this say about men in general?
What does this say about India as country?
Definitely a cultural thing as one could see reservation for females in almost everywhere in India. Buses, trains, and even in local representative government. I don't think any other airline went out and created "female only" seats after receving a complaint of sexual assault from a female passenger.
Perhaps it's a cultural thing, but I find this extremely offensive and a step backwards from gender equality in the world.